I have a 01 TJ, and the ride quality is terrible. Every little bump and it feels like I hit the biggest speedbump in the world. The suspension is all stock, and there is no lift kit etc installed. This is my DD, so I have my tires at 38 psi. I've read some threads and they all say lower your psi, but I still need to get the best mileage possible. So, what can I do to make my ride better? Shocks/springs. What brand is best etc. I don't wheel it and I don't really plan on it in the near future, so this would just be for an on road ride. Thanks

Pillswoj

03-27-2010 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougiefresh131
(Post 9170027)

I have a 01 TJ, and the ride quality is terrible. Every little bump and it feels like I hit the biggest speedbump in the world. The suspension is all stock, and there is no lift kit etc installed. This is my DD, so I have my tires at 38 psi. I've read some threads and they all say lower your psi, but I still need to get the best mileage possible. So, what can I do to make my ride better? Shocks/springs. What brand is best etc. I don't wheel it and I don't really plan on it in the near future, so this would just be for an on road ride. Thanks

Then put up with the crap ride and uneven tire wear. If you jeep is stock then the recommended pressure is on the door jamb, use it.

BlueFlame

03-27-2010 03:38 PM

Raising your tire pressure TOO high won't necessarily get you any better mileage. Above a certain psi, more doesn't help. BUT - it can kill you. Do a bit of Googling about tire air pressure and overinflation, see what can happen when a tire is run overinflated at highway speeds. 38 probably isn't that bad, but still...

Aside from that,
Are you still on the stock shocks? They are probably long gone.
Have your springs sagged? You may be hitting the bump stops.

If you want a little lift (lets face it, even if never offroad, it will look better) a small coil lift and good shocks can improve ride considerably. I believe there are 2" coil lifts out there - OME perhaps?

wushaw

03-27-2010 04:48 PM

If your looking for better mileage then you may want to buy something that gets good mileage to begin with otherwise lower tha air pressure for a better ride.

dougiefresh131

03-27-2010 04:57 PM

i just lowered the air pressure by using the chalk method. so air pressure is out of the question. shocks/springs?

jake-cutter

03-27-2010 05:07 PM

Have you ever replaced the shocks or coils? How about the body bushing mounts? Might want to start there. Also how are your seats, has the cushion flattened out?

GOLENJEEPTJ

03-27-2010 05:08 PM

So what did you lower your tire pressure too after the chalk test?

Imped

03-27-2010 05:08 PM

A stock jeep rides pretty darn good as long as everything's in good shape. Perhaps your point of view is a bit flawed. Go ride in a YJ then reevaluate.

Gary2

03-27-2010 05:09 PM

we don't know the mileage so I will say just maybe your shocks are finished. A stock TJ when new rides pretty soft from what I remember . I can't think of a reason to have 38psi in a TJ's tires .If you have stock tires do what the door sticker says or slightly less. If the person who told you to put 38psi in your tires told you to do anything else undo it .

dougiefresh131

03-27-2010 05:10 PM

i bought it about a month ago so it's still relatively new to me. i know the ride can be better so I posted this. i have not replaced anything. the driver seat is decent. the passenger seat cushion is like new. it's not to the point yet where i'm almost sitting on nothing. i'd rather replace physical components first and then seats etc.

asknight

03-27-2010 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougiefresh131
(Post 9170489)

i just lowered the air pressure by using the chalk method. so air pressure is out of the question. shocks/springs?

Well what did you lower the air pressure to? The number on the door jamb is 33psi. You'll be safe at 30psi and getting a better ride.

Edit: And it won't make a bit of difference in your fuel economy going down to 30.

dougiefresh131

03-27-2010 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLENJEEPTJ
(Post 9170543)

So what did you lower your tire pressure too after the chalk test?

34.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imped
(Post 9170545)

A stock jeep rides pretty darn good as long as everything's in good shape. Perhaps your point of view is a bit flawed. Go ride in a YJ then reevaluate.

i've ridden in other jeeps so I can compare it to something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary2
(Post 9170552)

we don't know the mileage so I will say just maybe your shocks are finished. A stock TJ when new rides pretty soft from what I remember . I can't think of a reason to have 38psi in a TJ's tires .If you have stock tires do what the door sticker says or slightly less. If the person who told you to put 38psi in your tires told you to do anything else undo it .

it has 127,000 miles on it. i do not have stock tires. slightly bigger at 29.5". and they are brand new.

GOLENJEEPTJ

03-27-2010 05:18 PM

He's got 17" rims????

freeskier93

03-27-2010 05:18 PM

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If you want good gas milage while still getting a good ride then picked the worst car possible as you DD... Yeah Jeeps might have good rides stock and/or new, but nothing good ever lasts forever.

silver60th

03-27-2010 05:20 PM

OME shocks and springs will give you a remarkably better ride. Your control arms have a good bit to do with the ride as well...I know on XJ's we can use WJ control arms, which have an oval bushing. They make the ride smoother.

Other than that, lower your tire pressure (which you said you already did). Make sure you're not hitting your bumpstops. Also, something else not mentioned...what size rim are you using? The higher the rim diameter, the less tire you have to absorb the road with. A 15 or 16 in. rim would be your best bet.